Sports Academy Spring Championship Standouts Pt. 4

Leah Sarabia; Leuzinger 2024

David Yapkowitz

May 15, 2023 @ 11:19 AM

This past weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the Spring Championship. The event was held across two days from May 6-7 and featured some of the top travel teams in Southern California as well as few out of state teams as well. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, May 7 and focused on the in state teams. Here's a look at some additional standouts I saw. 1. [player_tooltip player_id='756846' first='Leah' last='Sarabia'] - Sports Academy Swish 17U Derek Fisher/Leuzinger 2024 I've seen Sarabia play a couple of times now and she continually stands out. This event, what stood out to me the most about her game was her defense. She plays tough on ball defense, sliding her feet, keeping up with the ball-handler and generally just making it tough. She uses her quick hands and length to try and force loose balls. She also hits the glass well. Improved ball-handler in transition. 2. [player_tooltip player_id='758377' first='Keshia' last='Vitalicio'] - Cal Stars 17U EYBL/Carondelet 2024 Vitalicio is a steady playmaking guard with good size. She runs the offense smoothly. Good job attacking the paint and being able to kick the ball out to teammates. Makes smart decisions with the ball in the halfcourt. Can push the pace in transition. A lot of her scoring opportunities came off ball. She knows how to relocate after the pass and has a knockdown three-point shot off catch and shoot. 3. [player_tooltip player_id='570449' first='Devyn' last='Kiernan'] - Sports Academy Swish 16U Derek Fisher/Mater Dei 2025 Kiernan is a player I've watched since she was a freshman and she's developed into a very well-rounded player. She is much more comfortable as a ball-handler especially in transition. She keeps her head up and fires quick outlet passes. She dribbles under control and can attack the basket and draw contact. Defensively, she's solid on ball keeping up with the ball-handler and forcing players into tough shots. 4. Avary Cain - Sports Academy Swish 17U EYBL/St. Joseph 2024 Cain has good size for a primary ball-handler which she played a lot of in the game I saw. She's strong on the break, able to go coast to coast and finish. Looks to get downhill and put pressure on the defense. In the halfcourt, she uses screens well and can attack the switch. Solid jumper in the midrange. She attacks closeouts well and get dribble in closer for a better look.

This past weekend, Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA played host to the Spring Championship. The event was held across two days from May 6-7 and featured some of the top travel teams in Southern California as well as few out of state teams as well. I was able to attend the event on Sunday, May 7 and focused on the in state teams. Here's a look at some additional standouts I saw.

1. Leah Sarabia Leah Sarabia 5'10" | SF Leuzinger | 2024 State CA - Sports Academy Swish 17U Derek Fisher/Leuzinger 2024

I've seen Sarabia play a couple of times now and she continually stands out. This event, what stood out to me the most about her game was her defense. She plays tough on ball defense, sliding her feet, keeping up with the ball-handler and generally just making it tough. She uses her quick hands and length to try and force loose balls. She also hits the glass well. Improved ball-handler in transition.

2. Keshia Vitalicio Keshia Vitalicio 5'10" | PG Carondelet | 2024 State CA - Cal Stars 17U EYBL/Carondelet 2024

Vitalicio is a steady playmaking guard with good size. She runs the offense smoothly. Good job attacking the paint and being able to kick the ball out to teammates. Makes smart decisions with the ball in the halfcourt. Can push the pace in transition. A lot of her scoring opportunities came off ball. She knows how to relocate after the pass and has a knockdown three-point shot off catch and shoot.

3. Devyn Kiernan Devyn Kiernan 5'10" | SF Mater Dei | 2025 State CA - Sports Academy Swish 16U Derek Fisher/Mater Dei 2025

Kiernan is a player I've watched since she was a freshman and she's developed into a very well-rounded player. She is much more comfortable as a ball-handler especially in transition. She keeps her head up and fires quick outlet passes. She dribbles under control and can attack the basket and draw contact. Defensively, she's solid on ball keeping up with the ball-handler and forcing players into tough shots.

4. Avary Cain - Sports Academy Swish 17U EYBL/St. Joseph 2024

Cain has good size for a primary ball-handler which she played a lot of in the game I saw. She's strong on the break, able to go coast to coast and finish. Looks to get downhill and put pressure on the defense. In the halfcourt, she uses screens well and can attack the switch. Solid jumper in the midrange. She attacks closeouts well and get dribble in closer for a better look.